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members of the armed forces are nursed in these hospitals, or the presence of small arms andammunition taken from such combatants and not yet handed to the proper service, shall not beconsidered acts harmful to the enemy. 4267.17.1.2 Due Warning Before Cessation of Protection. In addition, protection forcivilian hospitals may cease only after due warning has been given, naming, in all appropriatecases, a reasonable time limit, and after such warning has remained unheeded. 427The obligation to refrain from use of force against a civilian medical facility acting inviolation of its mission and protected status without due warning does not prohibit the exerciseof the right of self-defense. There may be cases in which, in the exercise of the right of selfdefense,a warning is not “due” or a reasonable time limit is not appropriate. For example, forcesreceiving heavy fire from a hospital may exercise their right of self-defense and return fire. Suchuse of force in self-defense against medical units or facilities must be proportionate. Forexample, a single enemy rifleman firing from a hospital window would warrant a responseagainst the rifleman only, rather than the destruction of the hospital. 4287.17.2 Identification of Protected Civilian Hospitals. The GC provides for civilianhospitals to be identified with certificates and the distinctive emblem.7.17.2.1 State-Issued Certificates for Civilian Hospitals. States that are parties toa conflict shall provide all civilian hospitals with certificates showing that they are civilianhospitals and that the buildings that they occupy are not used for any purpose that would deprivethese hospitals of protection in accordance with Article 19 of the GC. 4297.17.2.2 Markings of Civilian Hospitals With the Distinctive Emblem. Civilianhospitals shall be marked by means of the distinctive emblem provided for in Article 38 of theGWS, but only if authorized by the State. 430Civilian hospitals must observe, towards the enemy, the neutrality which they claim for themselves and which istheir right under the Convention. Standing outside the struggle, they must steadfastly refrain from any interference,direct or indirect, in military operations.”).426 GC art. 19 (“The fact that sick or wounded members of the armed forces are nursed in these hospitals, or thepresence of small arms and ammunition taken from such combatants and not yet handed to the proper service, shallnot be considered to be acts harmful to the enemy.”).427 GC art. 19 (“Protection may, however, cease only after due warning has been given, naming, in all appropriatecases, a reasonable time limit, and after such warning has remained unheeded.”).428 Compare § 7.10.3.2 (Due Warning Before Cessation of Protection).429 GC art. 18 (“States which are Parties to a conflict shall provide all civilian hospitals with certificates showing thatthey are civilian hospitals and that the buildings which they occupy are not used for any purpose which woulddeprive these hospitals of protection in accordance with Article 19.”).430 GC art. 18 (“Civilian hospitals shall be marked by means of the emblem provided for in Article 38 of the GenevaConvention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field of August12, 1949, but only if so authorized by the State.”).479